Man convicted in fatal shooting gets new sentence

Published: Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 3:29 p.m.

Gary Lee Davis, 30, convicted last year of shooting and killing a Hendersonville man in 2008, was resentenced Monday morning to a shorter jail term after prosecutors found the basis of his first sentencing was incorrect.

On March 30, 2012, Davis was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Keith Collins, who police say was shot multiple times outside his Chevrolet Tahoe on the morning of Dec. 6, 2008. Collins was found dead in the street.

Davis was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years and 4 months to a maximum of 22 years and 9 months in the Department of Corrections. He appealed his sentence.

Assistant District Attorney Doug Pearson said Davis was sentenced as a level three offender, when he should have been punished as a level two.

Judge Alan Thornburg changed Davis’ sentence to a minimum of 15 years and 9 months to a maximum of 19 years and 8 months in prison.

Family members, who addressed the court before the judge’s ruling Monday, said Davis faces charges in other states that will keep him locked away for most of his life.

The victim’s cousin, Taqunia Collins, said Davis went on the lam after the murder. He was found in Florida after being profiled on the “America’s Most Wanted” website and was extradited to Henderson County in November 2011. She said they waited three-and-a-half years to have their day in court.

“At this point, I still grieve every day. It’s almost been five years since he shot my brother,” said Tesheka Collins.

She said Davis did not just shoot Keith Collins once, but “several times,” including while he was lying bloody on the ground.

Autopsy reports show Keith Collins was shot five times — three times in the head, once in the neck and once in the back of his left knee.

Taqunia Collins, who asked the judge to give Davis “the maximum sentence to the crime,” also said her cousin had a daughter, who is now 4, “that we’re left to raise and to guide.”

“There will come a time when we’ll have to give her the facts,” she told the judge. “I want her to know that the judicial system does work.”

<p>Gary Lee Davis, 30, convicted last year of shooting and killing a Hendersonville man in 2008, was resentenced Monday morning to a shorter jail term after prosecutors found the basis of his first sentencing was incorrect.</p><p>On March 30, 2012, Davis was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Keith Collins, who police say was shot multiple times outside his Chevrolet Tahoe on the morning of Dec. 6, 2008. Collins was found dead in the street.</p><p>Davis was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years and 4 months to a maximum of 22 years and 9 months in the Department of Corrections. He appealed his sentence.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Doug Pearson said Davis was sentenced as a level three offender, when he should have been punished as a level two.</p><p>Judge Alan Thornburg changed Davis' sentence to a minimum of 15 years and 9 months to a maximum of 19 years and 8 months in prison.</p><p>Family members, who addressed the court before the judge's ruling Monday, said Davis faces charges in other states that will keep him locked away for most of his life.</p><p>The victim's cousin, Taqunia Collins, said Davis went on the lam after the murder. He was found in Florida after being profiled on the “America's Most Wanted” website and was extradited to Henderson County in November 2011. She said they waited three-and-a-half years to have their day in court.</p><p>“At this point, I still grieve every day. It's almost been five years since he shot my brother,” said Tesheka Collins. </p><p>She said Davis did not just shoot Keith Collins once, but “several times,” including while he was lying bloody on the ground. </p><p>Autopsy reports show Keith Collins was shot five times — three times in the head, once in the neck and once in the back of his left knee. </p><p>Taqunia Collins, who asked the judge to give Davis “the maximum sentence to the crime,” also said her cousin had a daughter, who is now 4, “that we're left to raise and to guide.”</p><p>“There will come a time when we'll have to give her the facts,” she told the judge. “I want her to know that the judicial system does work.”</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>